Living YO UTH

This month Living says goodbye to Aimee Thomson who is preparing for the South Australian Certificate of Education which begins in November and we welcome a new youth writer - Grace Liddell-Page, who is in Year 11 at Endeavour College. She writes on the topic:

The importance of family

The teenage years of a young person’s life often pose challenges for both teenagers and parents. Frequent arguing, yelling and disagreements, as well as differences in opinion about the importance of life such as; school, socialising and choosing a career path, are common issues faced. Despite all the drama and the frustration of both parties, many teenagers would agree that parents and family play an important and vital role in their lives.

Chloe Muculley a year 8 student at Endeavour College says that she does not always get along with her family, but, she says, “I will always value my parents for being strong enough to put aside our differences and try to fix the situation.”

Deana Bakas (17) who is a friend of mine from Actors Ink believes that teenagers feel their family is one of the most significant aspects of their life. She says that, “family is extremely important, as generally speaking, they are there for every important step of your life and they are the constant people who continue to pop up out of nowhere to remind you that someone cares about you.”

Although the teenage years are infamous for family tension and restlessness, most young people highly value their parents and the role they play in providing them with support, encouragement and love.

Grace Liddell-Page- Living Youth Writer

What plant is that?

Silvery Moon (Convolvulus White)

Everywhere in Mawson Lakes you will see this small hardy plant growing in drifts in Council gardens, in home gardens and in pots. It is a landscape gardener’s darling because it is neat, hardy and constantly attractive.

The silver foliage provides interest through winter when many perennials are dormant. Then, during autumn, a profusion of large bright white flowers cover the bush for months.

Silvery Moon makes an attractive low hedge to line driveways or front fences/walls and is suited to cottage or white gardens. It adds contrasting foliage for a border or as a backdrop for other low growing perennials or groundcovers. Used in groups it creates drifts in garden beds to tone down bright or hot colours or to give a lift to pastel schemes.

The plant will withstand drought and general neglect. It is non-invasive. Easy to grow, hard to kill.

It loves full sun with well drained soil. Although dry tolerant, it needs an occasional deep watering in dry periods.

A light prune after the main flowering period (early autumn) will promote vigour and maintain a neat shape. An application of slow release fertiliser during spring will benefit performance. Grows approx 50cm high and 70cm wide. Ed.

Are you breeding mosquitoes in your backyard?

Mosquitoes breed in standing water such as old car tyres and other water-holding containers, pot plant trays, roof gutters and domestic ponds. During summer the life cycle from egg to flying adult mosquito takes only 7-10 days. You can see them wriggling in still water so take a look around and determine if you have any mosquito breeding habitats on your property.

Ways to eliminate breeding areas

 Dispose of all containers that hold water after rain including cans, bottles, tins, tyres, and other receptacles.

 Empty pot plant trays once a week or fill with sand. Empty watering cans.

 Keep ornamental ponds stocked with mosquito-eating fish, e.g. goldfish.

 Keep swimming pools well chlorinated and filtered and free of dead leaves.

 Fill or drain depressions in the ground that hold water.

 Empty and clean pet drinking water regularly.

 Empty or upturn children’s pools, sandpits or other play equipment that may hold water.

 Boats and trailers should be overturned or covered to prevent the accumulation of rainwater and tarpaulins covering these objects should be emptied after rain.

 Install roof guttering guards or ensure leaves and debris are cleaned from guttering to prevent blockages.

 Flush with a hose on a weekly basis bird baths, small water features and bromeliads.

 Check the deck. The dark area under the backyard deck is often moist and perfect for growing skeeters. Dry it and put sand under the deck. Ed.